The general rule in California is that employees are considered to employed "at will," meaning that they may be fired at any time by their employers, for any reason or for no reason at all. However, there are important exceptions to the "at will" rule.

A union owes a duty of fair representation to all of the workers it represents. This duty requires that the union act fairly, impartially, and without ill will or discrimination when pursuing a worker"s grievance or when negotiating a new contract with the employer.

Since 1986, the immigration law requires employers to only hire workers who have authorization by the U.S. government to work in this country. The law requires employers to check (verify) the identity and work eligibility of each employee. If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of immigration status or national origin, you may be able to file a charge against your employer. Your union or an advocate from an immigrant rights group may be able to help you with this charge. You can contact them at 1-800-255-7688 or, for TDD 1-800- 237-2515 (both numbers are free).

Alphabetical Listing of Resources

Signed on October 6, 215, the California Fair Pay Act, strengthens the California Equal Pay Act, which prohibited an employer from paying its employees less than employees of the opposite sex for equal work.

Federal law prohibits: 1) citizenship status discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, 2) national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, 3) unfair documentary practices during the employment eligibility verification, Form I-9 and E-Verify, and 4) retaliation or intimidation. If you feel you have suffered one of these forms of discrimination, call US Department of Justice Worker Hotline: 1-800-255-7688.

If you are a federal employee or job applicant, the law protects you from discrimination because of your race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (4 or older), disability or genetic information.

This 3-part video series discusses: (1) your rights at work while pregnant, including taking time off for prenatal care, pregnancy accommodations and discrimination protections; (2) your rights to take time off with job-protection and income replacement to have a baby and bond with your new child; and (3) your rights at work as a new parent, such as returning to work after maternity or paternity leave, breastfeeding accommodations and time off to care for a sick child.

To legally hire any employee in the United States, an employer must be able to verify that the applicant is eligible to work in the United States. You must prove that you are eligible to work. Employers are required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to record verification that you showed the employer documents that prove you are authorized to work in the United States.

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